Why advent candles colors

Lighting the Advent Candles The four Advent candles represent the four weeks of Advent and should be lit in a specific order. On the four Sunday, all four candles are lit and are lit each night for the following week. Advent Candle Names Each candle has a specific meaning related to the birth of Christ. The Prophecy Candle The first purple, or violet candle, is the Prophecy Candle symbolizes hope and God's forgiveness toward man.

The Bethlehem Candle The second purple or violet candle symbolizes faith and reminds Catholics about the experience of Joseph and Mary in the city of Bethlehem. The Shepherd's Candle The third candle which is pink or rose, represents Gaudette Sunday and the joy that the birth of Christ brought to the world.

The Angel's Candle The last purple candle is the Angel's Candle and represents the peace and justice that the angels and Christ brings to the world. The Christ Candle If a white candle in the middle of the wreath is included, this candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and represents Christ and purity.

The Colors of Advent Advent candle meaning is slightly different in each faith because the colors of the candles can be different and the overall meaning of the event varies.

Purple or violet: This traditional color symbolizes penitence, or regret for sins, and penance, or self-imposed punishment for a sin. As the color of royalty, purple also speaks to the birth of the new King, Jesus and serves as a reminder of his suffering. Pink or rose: Most often used on the third or fourth week, pink represents rejoicing.

As many people see the end to their fasting approaching, they prepare to celebrate. Blue: Resembling the night sky or the waters in Genesis blue can also symbolize royalty. This color represents hope.

Blue is used in place of purple by some Protestant denominations and Mozarabic Rites found in Southern Europe. Red: As a symbol for communion and a prominent Christmas color, red candles have German roots or can be used to promote religious unity.

Green: When used in Advent, green represents faith or the spiritual life. White: A large white pillar candle in the center of the wreath represents Christ and the peace he brings. Gold: This opulent color represents love and kingship and symbolizes the Christmas holiday season in some religions.

Advent Wreath Religious Meanings Advent wreaths and candles are more than another holiday decoration. For many Christians of varying denominations, Advent is seen as a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ's arrival.

Each candle represents one aspect of the waiting and is lit to signify Jesus bringing light into people's lives. In Catholic households, the first two candles are purple in conjunction with the color of penance and the color worn by priests, the third is pink for the color of rejoicing, and the fourth is also purple.

Orthodox Christians observe Advent for 40 days using six candles with one each in green, blue, gold, white, purple, and red. A Lutheran pastor, Wichern was actively involved in the Inner Mission movement, which promoted the development of social service organizations for the poor.

In students at a school Wichern established for poor boys in Hamburg kept asking him when Christmas would arrive. Using an old cart wheel, Wichern crafted a wreath of four large white candles, with small red candles between them. The children would light a new candle each day, and a new white candle on each of the four Sundays of Advent.

When all the candles had been lit, it was time to celebrate Christmas. Other Christian churches soon adapted the wreath for their own needs and understandings of the season. To reinforce the symbolism of the liturgical vestments worn by priests, Catholics swapped the red candles for three purple candles—the color typically associated with penance—and one pink, the color of rejoicing worn on the third Sunday of Advent. In Orthodox Christian churches, where the observance of Advent lasts 40 days, the wreath has six candles that are green faith , blue hope , gold love , white peace , purple penance , and red communion.

Members of the Moravian Church use four plain beeswax candles that can be made at home, reflecting a faith tradition that values simplicity and domestic work. The following candles of the Advent wreath are traditionally purple:.

The first Advent candle, known as the prophecy candle, or candle of hope. The second Advent candle called the Bethlehem candle or the candle of peace. The fourth Advent candle called the angel candle or the candle of love. Print these and share them with family and friends to keep your mind's attention and heart's affection on Jesus this holiday season. Pink is the color of Advent used during the third Sunday of Advent. Pink represents joy or triumph and this candle exhibits a transition in the season of Advent away from repentance and to a celebration.

The third Advent candle color is pink, called the shepherd candle or candle of joy. White is the Advent candle color symbolizing purity, light, restoration, and holiness. White is also a representation of victory. The Christ candle is the fifth Advent candle, placed in the center of the wreath as a white candle. Jesus Christ is the righteous, immaculate, pure Savior.